Karachi, Mar 1, KNT: At least six people were killed and eight others injured on Sunday after violent clashes broke out between protesters and police outside the United States Consulate in Karachi, authorities said.
The unrest followed reports of the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in coordinated strikes by the United States and Israel, developments that have triggered widespread anger in parts of the region.
According to police officials in Karachi, hundreds of protesters marched toward the U.S. Consulate in the southern port city, attempting to storm the diplomatic facility. Security personnel deployed at the site used force to disperse the crowd after demonstrators breached outer security perimeters and clashed with law enforcement.
Hospital authorities confirmed that at least six people died in the violence, while eight others sustained injuries and were shifted to nearby medical facilities for treatment. The identities of the deceased were not immediately disclosed.
Police later said the protesters were dispersed and the situation brought under control. Heavy security was deployed around the diplomatic enclave and key installations across the city as a precautionary measure.
Karachi, the capital of Sindh province and Pakistan’s largest city, has witnessed sporadic protests in the past over international developments involving the United States and the Middle East. Sunday’s violence marked one of the most serious incidents reported in recent months.
Authorities said investigations were underway to determine the sequence of events that led to the escalation. [KNT]
